CDOT: Independence Pass will open Thursday

The Colorado Department of Transportation is planning to open Independence Pass to vehicle traffic this week. The winter gates are scheduled to open Thursday.

Crews start in April, clearing the high mountain pass of snow and debris. One of the last steps is avalanche mitigation, where officials from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center set off slides, then road crews clear away the snow. The avalanche work was done Thursday. CDOT spokesperson Tracy Trulove is confident the road will open on time.

"We’re still planning for an opening on Thursday, May 21st at noon. Everything looks good for that. We’ve been pretty good about getting it open that Thursday before Memorial Day weekend."

She’s been busy fielding phone calls about when the pass will open. Usually there’s a line of cars waiting when the crews unlock the gate. Independence Pass remains open until early November.